The Shattered Realms: Origins of Oblivion “In the beginning, the world was whole… then the Rift tore it all apart.”

> The Age of Unity Long ago, there existed a singular, vibrant realm known as Oblivion, a world where magic, science, nature, and the arcane coexisted in delicate harmony. Ruled not by kings, but by the balance of forces, Oblivion thrived under the stewardship of mysterious entities called The Architects, timeless beings who shaped the world and guarded its secrets.

But balance is fragile.

> The Cataclysm and the Rift Something, no one knows what, fractured the very essence of reality. Some blame an ancient spell gone wrong. Others whisper of a star that fell from the sky. Whatever the truth, the result was the Rift, a cataclysmic event that shattered Oblivion into countless dimensions, each drifting into strange orbits around the remnants of the core world.

Now, portals crackle with unstable energy. Realms once thought imaginary: The Twilight Forest, Deep Dark, Undergarden, Macabre, The Midnight, and more. They bleed into the overworld. Ancient ruins rise from the earth, guarded by constructs, shadows, and things no one has a name for.

> A New Age: The Wanderers In the chaos that followed, civilizations crumbled, and time itself fractured in some places. Survivors from all realms began to call themselves Wanderers. Lost souls trying to understand what happened, and what their place is in this new mosaic of magic and madness.

You are one such Wanderer.

Some believe the Architects are returning. Others seek power in the ancient artifacts scattered through the ruins. Factions rise, not to dominate, but to protect, or exploit, what’s left. And somewhere deep within the Oblivion, a voice calls out...

> The Races of the Shattered Realms Cindersoul — Forged in flame and rebirth, these beings carry the embers of the world’s fury within them. Their kind once guarded the forges of the Architects, and now they build great citadels of fire and ash. Rumors tell of a rising empire beneath the scorched skies, a kingdom of molten steel and undying pride.

Abyssborne — Descendants of the deep waters, shaped by pressure, shadow, and song. They whisper to the currents and thrive where light dares not reach. It is said the ocean dwellers gather strength below the seas, uniting the drowned ruins into a single banner.

Starforged — Born from the light that fell from the heavens when the Rift split the skies. They are radiant wanderers, bound to the stars’ will, and often seen as symbols of hope or doom. Their leaders speak of rebuilding Oblivion’s glory through a kingdom guided by cosmic law and destiny.

Sylvari — Children of nature’s memory, protectors of what little remains untouched. They are healers and guardians, their roots tied to the living essence of Oblivion itself. Deep within the verdant remnants, they gather, factions of druids and spirits working to restore balance to a fractured world.

Riftwalker — The shadows between worlds, able to slip through the fabric of dimensions themselves. Neither entirely mortal nor divine, Riftwalkers are feared and respected in equal measure. Some say they serve a power beyond the Architects. In the void between realities, they form, silent, watching, waiting.

> Factions and Kingdoms From these races rise new factions, clans, and kingdoms, each shaped by the beliefs, ambitions, and scars of their people. Some seek to rebuild what was lost; others wish to conquer the void left behind.

The State of Oblivion now oversees this age of rebirth, recognizing those who unite under banners of strength and purpose. But with every kingdom that rises, the balance shifts once more and whispers spread that one day, the Architects may return to judge what their creations have become.

> Your Journey No one is bound to the truth, because the truth itself is fractured. Some players believe the world is a lie, others say they are descended from ancient bloodlines or fallen gods. You could be a cultist, a hero, a rogue scholar, or just someone trying to build a tavern in a world of gods and monsters.

You choose what you believe. You choose your story. Welcome to Oblivion.